Oncologist shortage in Owen Sound limits hospital's ability to treat cancer patients

Owen Sound hospital redirecting cancer patients Brightshores Health Shores has begun redirecting cancer patients due to a shortage of oncologists.

Brightshores Health System in Owen Sound is now redirecting some of its cancer patients.

“We have found that the volume of cancer patients coming into our organization exceeds the capacity of our oncology team,” said Beth Morris, Brightshores clinical services vice president and chief nursing executive. “We are seeing more referrals than oncologists can handle.”

Patients with lung, colorectal or breast cancer are their largest volume of cancer patients and will continue to be treated at the Health System.

But patients with all other cancer treatment needs are being redirected to other cancer centres.

Brightshores currently has two oncologists on staff but say they would have to get back to at least three to be able to treat all cancer patients again, adding geography has been a challenge with recruiting.

Brightshores estimates its oncologist shortage will impact nearly 20 patients, many getting sent to cancer centres up to three hours away.

“Our initial reaction was, how can we help? As that’s part of our responsibility as a regional cancer program,” said Pam Newlove, Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) operations director.

Earlier this month, RVH in Barrie accepted the request to support, along with cancer centres in London and Kitchener.

Officials would not put a timeframe on when Brightshores would be able to go back to treating all cancer patients, but they did confirm the current situation is a temporary one, adding they are actively recruiting for up to two additional onconlologists.